architect Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 I have an apartment building project that has a file size of 60mb and a layout of 20mb. Most of the 3d items are in except electric. Chief is working fine now but I still have a lot of cad and details to go. Has any one run up against problems or limitations related to file size other than slowness from the program standpoint. (not hardware) I did a search for file size limitations but did not find any info. (maybe its not a large file for others) Thank you for your feedback. Eric I7/ 12gb ram / GeForce 780 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug_Park Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 In theory 2 GB is the limit. But I think if you get a file approaching that you will run into performance problems that prevent you from actually approaching that limit. As far as I know no one has ever come close to hitting this limit. Typically CAD details and embedded images are the main culprits for file size usage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buildology Posted June 1, 2014 Share Posted June 1, 2014 We've done a block a 15 apartments, Chief did start running a bit slow but it got the job do. Final file size was 65Mb on X5 I am currently working on a 1920s house with lots of internal detailing as well as lots of external landscaping file size is 115Mb seems to be running fine. One thing I did do was to trim the default Camera back to just walls,roof and terrain and then made an internal camera view layer and an external layer just to speed things up when I want to look a it in 3d. Also make sure you save lots.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRAWZILLA Posted June 1, 2014 Share Posted June 1, 2014 A lot of round railings will also slow things down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
architect Posted June 2, 2014 Author Share Posted June 2, 2014 Thank you for the feedback....... Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidJPotter Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 In theory 2 GB is the limit. The largest plan file I have done to date was 120Mb, a 1,000,000 SF, hexigon shaped, 8 story Hotel. I think that was in X3. Cumulated 3D face count is the most important limiter to performance (or expander in terms of file size), like Perry said, round 3D objects add the most vaces per squrare inch, another one is symbols imported from 3D Warehouse (skp files) that can natively contain uber-3D faces and slow things down. You always get what you create and pay for it in performance or the lack there of. There is no reason that your CAD details must perforce be in the same plan file as they tend to weigh down a plan file as well, they can be stored-created in a separate plan file if you like. DJP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug_Park Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 Generated 3D data is not stored in the file so railings, moldings, etc. don't contribute much to file size. They do however contribute to memory usage. 3D data is rarely more than a minor contributor to file size. 3D data from symbols like cabinet hardware etc. have only 1 instance stored in the file so the cost in the file is small even though there may be 100's of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicinus Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 I am currently working on a 1920s house with lots of internal detailing as well as lots of external landscaping file size is 115Mb seems to be running fine. One thing I did do was to trim the default Camera back to just walls,roof and terrain and then made an internal camera view layer and an external layer just to speed things up when I want to look a it in 3d. Also make sure you save lots.. Good tip about a camera view set that only has exterior items! Btw, would love to see some pictures of your 1920's house with all that detailing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buildology Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 The Raytracers were a bit rushed as we had tight dead line and it was 11.30 on a Sunday night but we used the model on our big screen for the client presentation and they seemed really happy.. Raytrace Time 30mins each Model Build time 40hrs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dshall Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 The Raytracers were a bit rushed as we had tight dead line and it was 11.30 on a Sunday night but we used the model on our big screen for the client presentation and they seemed really happy.. Raytrace Time 30mins each Model Build time 40hrs 18LUC Front View sp.jpg18LUC Front View s.jpg18LUC Rear View sp.jpg18LUC Rear View s.jpg18LUC Living Room sp.jpg18LUC Living Room.jpg Thanks for sharing that Allan. It is great when we share with others the time spent doing things. We then become aware of what is possible. Now for my blistering comments. The time spent to create the model sounds pretty good. Not sure if that included measuring time on site and whether it included a full set of structural plans, but pretty darn good. You did have a bit of time developing the site with the retaining wall, steps and slope bank in front. The 30 minute time for each ray trace is awful. Not sure what kind of machine you are running or your ray trace settings. I use the crappy ray trace method, (under 2 minutes). I think my ray traces may be better in a fraction of the time, you be the judge. You can probably speed up your production if you were to find out why your ray traces took so long and why they are not any better. (3) crappy ray traces are attached (2 minutes each). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dshall Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 And since we are sharing, this project took 40 hours. Modeled off of an architects set of plans. It took an additional 20 hours to take wall elevations of all rooms sans closets, that was quite a surprise, a lot longer than I would of thought. All of these jpegs are renders and not ray traces. Again, this is for comparison sake. It helps us all know what is possible and gives us goals to shoot for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dshall Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 this is a test. I want to know what happens if I do not hit the ADD TO POST button for the jpeg. EDIT; I guess the pix go in front of the text instead of at the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRAWZILLA Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 Nice job guys, I hope to do that good when I grow up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buildology Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 Site measure took 6 hrs for two people and no structural drawings. Yes render time is crap but I think it was the 3d tree and the size of the model. I normally go for around the 5-8 minute mark, I've attached another project which I think came out with similar results at same setting but 6 min Raytrace time. A lot less detailing inside and less trees outside File size is 58mb We also have a few spare computers in our office so I normally set up five or six at a time and then go off and do something else.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dshall Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 6 hours for the measure sounds a bit. High. For a job that size typically takes 2.5 to 3.5 hours with two people. You might want to join us this Saturday for our ON LINE MEASURING WORHSHOP. you might pick up a few tips and you could share a few tips. I'm anticipating picking up some very good tips and hoping to learn more about the laser measures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJSpud Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 Allan, Scott: Thanks for sharing those images. Great Job!!! I want to grow up some day too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now